ARLINGTON — Kathy Engell likes to try something different each year to honor veterans on Veterans Day.

“I wasn’t sure how many flags I would get, but I think it turned out real well,” said the principal of Kent Prairie Elementary School in Arlington.

She started the display with two interesting flags. One a replica of the 1814 Star Spangled Banner, and the other a flag with 48 stars, from before Alaska and Hawaii became states.

The display also includes flags loaned by Liam Cole, the uncle of Blake and McKenna Landry (Tony Bennett), the John Meno family and the John Cerna family. John Cerna, who is still on active duty serving on the USS Ford, is home and visited his son’s class Nov. 6. He shared information about one flag with a rattlesnake on a red background that signifies “Don’t Tread on Me,” and goes back to the American Revolution.

“Ever since 9-11, that flag is displayed on all Navy ships,” said Cerna, who spent the last eight months in Southeast Asia on an international mission with a thousand ships from different countries.

“It’s sort of an exchange program so we can learn how we all do things,” he said.

At least one of the teachers was very impressed with the project.

The Cole family flag, loaned by one of the teachers at the school, Tani Landry, was from the USS Arizona, which sunk in Pearl Harbor. Landry said the display was very moving.

“I have the privilege of walking down our main corridor each day to witness some special family American flags,” Landry said.

“Kent Prairie families are sharing their family flags, as well as the stories that come with the flags. It is such a nice way to honor our veterans and share the rich history in our student body,” she said, adding that Engell invited anyone else that would like to participate in honor of Veterans Day.

“It is a great way to let veterans know that they are remembered and appreciated by all ages of people,” Landry said.